Patty Chiles
Douglas School
Springfield, Illinois
For this assignment we were asked to reflect on what we felt we had learned in our first class. Our instructor also wanted to know where we felt there was potential for further growth. For those of you visiting this site who don't know me I must first give you a little background information.
In April of 1998 I applied to the University of Illinois to be accepted into a pilot program for technology in education. I knew I was not a computer whiz, but felt fairly comfortable with my computer skills. The three day orientation for this program was a humbling experience for me. While my fellow classmates all seemed to be understanding the foreign language, (computer jargon), our instructors were speaking in I was having flashbacks of my high school French class. It was the exact same sinking feeling of not understanding a single thing that is going on.
I spent a few days wondering why in the world I had committed to a two year technology program. I even wondered if they had possibly selected me as an example. I daydreamed about my instructor giving a future presentation and saying, "Yes, even Patty Chiles was able to learn the technology skills needed in today's classroom!".
After a few days of self pity it was time to use the ART (Aggression Replacement Training) skills that I teach my students every day. I paused, exhaled, assessed the situation, changed my way of thinking, and exited to a skill. Technology is NOT difficult, it is just different. It takes a lot of practice and willingness to try new things. I was determined to succeed. I was starting at the bottom of the ladder, so I had nowhere to go but up!
I have learned with age that most people really do like to help other people. All you need to do is ask. I have also learned to quit worrying if others will think I am stupid. I asked the pizza delivery boy if he knew how to make webpage links. I asked the clerks at the local gas station if they had experience setting up e-mail using Eudora. It might sound laughable to you, but eventually I got the answers I needed.
We were asked to reflect on the following five areas:
SKILLS
Over the last four weeks I have learned to search the web with greater efficiency. I have learned to be more specific when searching various topics. Using bookmarks to return to sites is a great time saver. There is nothing worse then searching for hours to finally find what you need only to lose your connection and not have a clue to how you got there. I learned all types of helpful hints just by going to the help button on different search engines. As I mentioned before, people want to help. Even the people at Yahoo.
I learned that other people have already done a lot of the work for you. Use their links! Most links are really helpful. If you find a link that you don't need it is too easy to just go back.
Four weeks ago I didn't know anything about Claris HomePage, but I learned. I thought I would just be able to type my assignments in ClarisWorks and send everything right on up. I asked for help. I got it, and I moved one more rung up the ladder.
I had no experience what so ever with using a server. After locking myself out a few times and many failed attempts, I finally learned. I believe I have even managed to understand the whole concept!
There is still a tremendous amount I have yet to learn. My weakest area being in the use of spreadsheets and data bases. If the assignment provided the opportunity to avoid using them then I avoided them. I realize that I need some basic skills in this area. I have overcome so much already that I am sure I will eventually be able to learn this too.
COMMUNICATION
Communication, my favorite topic! I felt comfortable using e-mail before the course began. I don't think I even realized how many methods of communication I was missing out on.
I have probably used e-mail more in the last four weeks than I have in an entire year. I have learned even more about it. Now I speed around in e-mail without even thinking about the steps. You know what they say about practice, practice, practice, well it's true.
I had never used a webboard before this class. I learned how to post messages and reply back to fellow students. I learned how to use a webboard chat room to seek out help .
As I became more confident with my technology skills I started to think about what I still want to learn and use. My building has a QuickCam that I have never used. Now I am anxious to learn how to hook it up on my computer. I think about how fun it would be to video conference with another class or to let my students look in on a lecture in progress. If I have come this far in only four weeks, I can go a little farther. If I get lost I'll just ask directions.
MULTIMEDIA
Let's begin with what I learned about webpages. Four weeks ago I thought webpages were something you paid a computer genius to create for you. As you can see I now have my very own webpage. It may sound silly, but this was very exciting to me. I learned how to create my webpage and make links to other sites. Now I will feel comfortable to create a website with my class.
As I have researched various topics for activity assignments I realized how many multimedia tools I have yet to learn about. I see things on the Internet and think about how I want to learn to use that. For example, when researching about VRML I visited several sites created by other schools. It made me want to learn to use the technology so I could bring the same possibilities to my students.
As I watched a presentation on Power Point I thought about how many uses it would have in my classroom. I know almost nothing about it, but I want to learn. My students would love to create their own e-portfolios.
The district I work in offers a three week summer course in technology called Project Lincol'n. I signed up to take this course before I was accepted into the U of I program. It has been difficult to take both courses at the same time, but well worth the effort. Project Lincol'n has given me the opportunity to learn and practice many of the multimedia skills.
The more I am exposed to the more I realize I have to learn, but it is exciting. If you don't know it is out there it is hard to imagine using it in your classroom. I am not becoming an "expert" in anything yet, but I am being exposed to opportunities for teaching tools that I didn't realize existed before. As I become more familiar with KidPix, HyperStudio, flexcams, VRML, or scanners to name a few, the more eager I become to use these tools with my students.
Workshops have always been available for me to take, but I always found excuses. I figured I could take them some other time. Upon acceptance into the U of I technology program I realized that some"other time" was now! I know that the area of technology is my weakest area. I made up my mind that I wouldn't be left behind, nor would I leave my students behind.
LEGALITIES, SPECIAL NEEDS, AND ISSUES
I think most educators have reflected on the legalities of computer use in the school setting. Most of us have heard the Internet horror stories about the readily accessible "trash" that students can get to. This topic probably gives me the most concern.
As an educator I think of my responsibility to protect my students. The students I work with are minors. The Internet is here to stay and it is a valuable tool for the classroom. Its use needs to be monitored in a classroom setting.
Over the last four weeks I have had the chance to think about this even more. I still don't have all the answers. I know students must be informed about what is permissible for my district. I know parents should be informed about what students will be allowed to view and what consequences will apply for students that do not follow district rules and regulations. I have learned a little about using different search engines to limit student Internet accessibility. I have learned about programs that can be installed to deny access to certain areas. As a educator and parent I have some real concerns about how easily available some material is.
Before this class I really hadn't given much thought to the topic of special needs. The week two activities were very beneficial to me. Those activities caused me to think of the needs of others. It wasn't that I didn't care, it was just that I didn't know. I didn't know there was a machine that would read computer text to someone who is blind. It would never have occurred to me to put text in where others would view a picture or graphic. Not being colorblind myself, I didn't think how it would be for someone trying to read red text on a blue background.
I would love to have more exposure to what is available for special needs. I believe the exposure would help me better incorporate technology in my classroom that would benefit everyone.
Another topic that I knew little about was piracy. I knew it was out there, but didn't give it much thought. As I researched information for assignments it was interesting to learn of the impact that piracy has on the economy. The more time and effort I spent building and improving my own website the more I appreciated the frustration individuals must feel who have their work stolen.
I think the topic of legalities and ethics in computer use will be a hot topic over the next few years. As more and more individuals gain access to the Internet I feel the interest in how to regulate it will grow. I think the debate over freedom of expression should be very interesting. I would enjoy learning about what other countries are doing about Internet access.
EVALUATION
There is a great cry for accountability. How do we bring technology into the classroom and still assess our students? This could be a course in itself. I can't simply tell parents to trust me that their child is really learning.
We need to use a combination of the old and the new. Standard assessments should still be used, but we should also create new assessment tools. Benchmark check sheets can be created, rubrics for technology skills can be developed to suit your classroom needs. I still have a lot to learn about creating assessment tools to benefit my students.
I think the best plan is to not think of technology as a separate category. Technology should be linked across all subject areas. Once basic skills are taught then technology becomes a tool. It can be used to create a term paper or to assist on an elaborate project.
In the past when we graded a term paper we didn't assess the student's typing abilities. We assessed the content of the paper. As technology becomes a way of life over the next few years I think we will all grow more comfortable in assessing the outcome instead of the process.
SUMMARY
I have learned so much over the last few weeks. At times it seems overwhelming. It seems the more I learn the more I realize what I still need to learn. The possibilities of technology seem almost limitless.
My emotions jump from one extreme to the next. At times I am so eager to learn more, then at other times I feel so frustrated with myself at not being able to learn more quickly. I am learning to not be so critical of myself. When I become frustrated at how little I know about technology I turn that thought around and reflect on how much I have already learned in just four weeks.
Not the course itself, but the support I have received in completing this course has taught me a valuable lesson. Now I realize that I can bring technology into my classroom in a meaningful way. Maybe my daydream will come true. Maybe someday you will be taking a technology course and a former instructor of mine will say, "Even Patty Chiles was able to learn this!".
"There is no place like home. There is no place like home."